Nunavut

Canada's largest riding, Nunavut spans three time zones and stretches from the North Pole to the shores of Ontario's James Bay. Eighty-four per cent of residents are Inuit, giving the area by far the highest percentage of aboriginal people in Canada.

Iqaluit, the capital, is home to more than 6,000 residents – about 20 per cent of the territory's population – and is one of the few communities with a significant non-Inuit population. The regional centres of Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay provide government, retail and transport services; the territory's other two dozen communities are rooted in hunting, fishing and trapping.

Economically, Nunavut is dependent on government transfer payments, though there are high hopes for several proposed diamond and gold mines. The 2006 census shows an average family income of $78,435 and an unemployment rate of 15.6 per cent.

The riding of Nunatsiaq was established in 1976. Nunavut riding was established in the 1996 redistribution.

Population: 29,474 (2006 census; an increase of 10.2% since 2001)

Political History

Though Nunavut Territory split from the Northwest Territories in 1999, the borders of this riding — known as Nunatsiaq before 1996 — have remained largely unchanged for three decades. During most of that time, Nunavut has been a Liberal stronghold.

Incumbent Nancy Karetak-Lindell won a fourth decision in 2006, beating Conservative David Aglukark Sr.

In 2004, Karetak-Lindell won 51 per cent of the vote to defeat Independent candidate Manitok Thompson and New Democrat Bill Riddell. Karetak-Lindell came to power in 1997 in a comfortable win over Tory Okalik Eegeesiak.

In 1988 and 1993, the riding was won by Liberal Jack Anawak, who is now Canada's ambassador for circumpolar affairs. New Democrat Peter Ittinuar and Progressive Conservative Thomas Suluk held the seat before that.

Nunatsiaq:

• 1979, 1980 - NDP
• 1984 - PC
• 1988, 1993 - LIB

Nunavut:

• 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 - LIB